Welcome To…Welcome To…

Palm Tran Palm Tran

Topics of Discussion:Topics of Discussion:

►The challenges of Mobility Devices in The challenges of Mobility Devices in TransitTransit

►Multi-Loading to Control CostsMulti-Loading to Control Costs

Passenger safety is our first priority. Passenger safety is our first priority.

Operators have been trained to secure Operators have been trained to secure mobility devices safely, effectively, mobility devices safely, effectively,

and quickly to prevent schedule and quickly to prevent schedule delays.delays.

However…However…

How do we secure this???How do we secure this???

According to the ADA, public buses with According to the ADA, public buses with lifts or ramps must transport mobility lifts or ramps must transport mobility

aids that: aids that:

►Have three or more wheels Have three or more wheels ►Are manual or powered Are manual or powered ►Are not more than 30 inches in width Are not more than 30 inches in width

and 48 inches in length, including and 48 inches in length, including footrests and belongings and do not footrests and belongings and do not weigh more than 600 pounds when weigh more than 600 pounds when occupiedoccupied

Palm Tran will transport all mobility Palm Tran will transport all mobility devices as long as the lift can devices as long as the lift can

accommodate the size and weight of accommodate the size and weight of the wheelchair and its user and there is the wheelchair and its user and there is

space for the devise on the vehicle. space for the devise on the vehicle.

How do we do this? How do we do this?

We Identified the ProblemsWe Identified the Problems►Mobility devices are extremely diverse and Mobility devices are extremely diverse and

difficult to safely secure in Transit Vehiclesdifficult to safely secure in Transit Vehicles►Large Wheelchairs and Scooters cannot fit Large Wheelchairs and Scooters cannot fit

on standard vehicleson standard vehicles►User Manuals state Mobility Devices are User Manuals state Mobility Devices are

not made for use in Transit Vehiclesnot made for use in Transit Vehicles►Some riders do not use Lap Belts and ride Some riders do not use Lap Belts and ride

without Footrestswithout Footrests►There are no solutions without going above There are no solutions without going above

and beyondand beyond

Palm Tran’s initiative: Palm Tran’s initiative: ► We do not deny any trips. We do not deny any trips.

► Our current fleet consists of 100% ADA Our current fleet consists of 100% ADA wheelchair accessible vehicles.wheelchair accessible vehicles.

► We have vehicles that exceed the ADA We have vehicles that exceed the ADA requirements with a wide wheelchair lift or requirements with a wide wheelchair lift or ramp that has 34 inches of useable platform ramp that has 34 inches of useable platform width and a minimum 800 pound weight width and a minimum 800 pound weight capacity.capacity.

► Reserve 2 wheelchair spots on one vehicle to Reserve 2 wheelchair spots on one vehicle to accommodate wide Wheelchairs/Scooters.accommodate wide Wheelchairs/Scooters.

Palm Tran’s initiative (Cont.): Palm Tran’s initiative (Cont.):

► Riders are not transported without Shoulder Riders are not transported without Shoulder Harness, Footrests and Lap beltHarness, Footrests and Lap belt

► Utilize a four-point securement system for Utilize a four-point securement system for mobility devices on all buses. The securement mobility devices on all buses. The securement system is self-tightening to prevent any slack system is self-tightening to prevent any slack in the straps which will keep the mobility in the straps which will keep the mobility device stationary.device stationary.

► Staff visits Riders to measure Mobility Devices Staff visits Riders to measure Mobility Devices and suggests proper placement of and suggests proper placement of securement systems and ensure reservation securement systems and ensure reservation of proper vehicle.of proper vehicle.

NATIONAL TRANSIT ACCESSIBILITY NATIONAL TRANSIT ACCESSIBILITY SURVEY REQUESTSURVEY REQUEST

► To complete the online National Transit To complete the online National Transit Accessibility Survey, please go to the Accessibility Survey, please go to the following: following:

► For Wheeled Mobility Device manufacturers, For Wheeled Mobility Device manufacturers, importers, vendors and distributors importers, vendors and distributors http://myopinion.oregonstate.edu/mobility http://myopinion.oregonstate.edu/mobility

► For Transit Agencies For Transit Agencies http://myopinion.oregonstate.edu/http://myopinion.oregonstate.edu/

paratransit paratransit ► For Wheeled Mobility Device Users For Wheeled Mobility Device Users

http://myopinion.oregonstate.edu/mydevice http://myopinion.oregonstate.edu/mydevice

Multi-LoadingMulti-Loading

The greatest cost savings achieved in The greatest cost savings achieved in paratransit is by multi-loading paratransit is by multi-loading

passengers.passengers.

The productivity of the Palm Tran’s The productivity of the Palm Tran’s service has improved by over service has improved by over 54%54% and and has essentially, kept us within budget. has essentially, kept us within budget. A major milestone of 1.85 passengers A major milestone of 1.85 passengers

per revenue hour was reached in per revenue hour was reached in February 2012.February 2012.

► Encourage Riders to use subscriptions for reoccurring Encourage Riders to use subscriptions for reoccurring tripstrips

► Maintain an anchored level for all subscription trips of Maintain an anchored level for all subscription trips of 95% or better95% or better

► Work with Hab Centers, Senior Centers and other Work with Hab Centers, Senior Centers and other destinations to establish set pickup and drop off destinations to establish set pickup and drop off times to encourage multi-loadingtimes to encourage multi-loading

► Establish safe and convenient common locations at Establish safe and convenient common locations at highly traveled areas (ie. Malls, Hospitals, etc.)highly traveled areas (ie. Malls, Hospitals, etc.)

► No-Show and cancel policy to discourage the No-Show and cancel policy to discourage the scheduling of unnecessary trips. scheduling of unnecessary trips.

► Inviting the drivers in to review their routes and use Inviting the drivers in to review their routes and use that dialogue to improve the routing.that dialogue to improve the routing.

How Do We Do it?How Do We Do it?

Questions……Questions……